"Go Out With A Bang" -- Alicia Rose, Kim Spradlin, and Chelsea Meissner during the ninth episode of SURVIVOR: ONE WORLD, Wednesday, April 11 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: ... more

"ItÃ¢ÂÂs Human Nature" -- Kim Spradlin, Alicia Rose, and Christina Cha, of the Tikiano tribe during the thirteenth episode of SURVIVOR: ONE WORLD, Wednesday, May 9 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS ... more

"Never Say Die" -- Kim Spradlin, during the immunity challenge, "Slip Sliding Away" during the eleventh episode of SURVIVOR: ONE WORLD, Wednesday, April 25 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. ... more

"Perception Is Not Always Reality" -- Alicia Rose, Kim Spradlin, Sabrina Thomson, Christina Cha, and Chelsea Meissner of the Tikiano Tribe during the fourteenth episode of SURVIVOR: ONE WORLD, Sunday, May 13 ... more

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Kim Spradlin competes on "Survivor: One World."

Kim Spradlin competes on "Survivor: One World."

Photo: CBS

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Kim Spradlin of San Antonio came across as smart and classy on the "Survivor: One World" premiere.

Kim Spradlin of San Antonio came across as smart and classy on the "Survivor: One World" premiere.

Photo: CBS

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San Antonio businesswoman Kim Spradlin appears on Survivor: One World, which premieres tonight.

San Antonio businesswoman Kim Spradlin appears on Survivor: One World, which premieres tonight.

San Antonio's Kim Spradlin said she went into CBS' "Survivor: One World" "not to make great TV," but to win the $1 million.

She did better than that. As the 24th season's fan favorite, Spradlin picked up an extra $100,000.

"That was an even bigger shock," Spradlin, 29, said in a Monday phone chat. "Not in my wildest dreams did I think I'd win that. There were others I was sure were much more popular."

Spradlin, the only competitor in S.A. history to go the distance on a reality TV show, summed up her 39 days on a scenery-rich Samoan island as "incredible." The down side? She felt worried, anxious and paranoid throughout, and the already-thin Spradlin came away from the show even skinnier.

"I lost 16 pounds, which is a lot for me," she said.

She described her weight loss in a different way on Sunday's finale — "I have no boobs left."

Spradlin, a UTSA graduate who co-owns Bella Bridesmaid in Alamo Heights, said it took her "a long time to feel normal again" after the competition ended eight months ago. (She didn't learn that she won until Sunday.)

"Taco Cabana!" she said. "I stopped there on the way home to get breakfast tacos."

She also had to face the nation with "a mustache" since there were no depilatory aids on the island. But all that was a small price to pay, she said, for the riches she gained.

One of her most satisfying realizations was seeing she didn't come off as too unpleasant. She named two fellow players — often-vicious Alabama college student Colton Cumbie and coarse Chicago special education teacher Alicia Rosa — who didn't fare so well on-screen.

"I tried hard not to make it about people's personalities," she said, "to not tear people down."

It also was important not "to be afraid to make a big move," she added. "I wanted to be in the driver's seat and sitting there in the final three."

She succeeded. Alongside her were two women she'd made an early alliance with, Chelsea Meissner of South Carolina and Sabrina Thompson from New York. In fact, for the first time in "Survivor" history, the final five were all women.

What made the women so strong?

"Bonding," recent divorcee Spradlin said. "Because it was so bad in the beginning — we didn't have anything; it was raining and miserable — we really bonded."

Spradlin's athletic ability helped her win four immunity challenges. She grew up in Midland, the daughter of a high school football coach, and she plays sand volleyball and loves kick-boxing. But getting rid of "the male competition ... who could probably beat me" was even more crucial, she said.

Her most important strategy?

"I tried really hard to make great relationships. I wanted the others to know I was one of their fans ... that I was on their side," she said, adding that it would be hard for jury members at the end to cast a vote for someone they really hated.

Spradlin ultimately earned seven of nine votes at the final tribal council and came away with lasting friendships. After spending a "normal summer in San Antonio," she definitely wants to take a trip somewhere.

"Maybe I'll take Kat (Edorsson), Alicia and Chelsea with me," she said.

She also will take on a new friend: "I'm going to get a dog."

As for the $1 million, she'll definitely use some to take care of loans and spruce up her two shops in San Antonio and Austin.

She also hopes to embark on more adventures. Even after a pitiful "Survivor" diet of 200 to 300 calories a day and getting little sleep "in the dirt," Spradlin is open to another reality show.

"Maybe like 'The Amazing Race.' This has been such a cool experience that I want to try more things that I never thought I could do."